In vitro biomechanical analysis of a new lumbar low-profile locking screw-plate construct versus a standard top-loading cantilevered pedicle screw-rod construct: technical report.

OBJECTIVE: A standard top-loading lumbar pedicle screw-rod system is compared with a pedicle screw-plate system with smaller-diameter screws, more medial entry, and lower profile to assess the relative stability, strength, and resistance to fatigue of the 2 systems. METHODS: Seven human cadaveric specimens were studied with each surgical construct. Nondestructive, nonconstraining pure moments were applied to specimens to induce flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation while recording L5-S1 motion optoelectronically. After initial tests, specimens were fatigued for 10,000 cycles and retested to assess early postoperative loosening. Specimens were then loaded to failure in hyperextension. RESULTS: The standard screw-rod construct reduced range of motion to a mean of 20% of normal, whereas the screw-plate construct reduced range of motion to 13% of normal. Differences between systems were not significant in any loading mode (P > 0.06). The 14% loosening of the screw-rod system with fatigue was not significantly different from the 10% loosening observed with the screw-plate system (P > 0.15). Mean failure loads of 30 Nm for screw-rod and 37 Nm for screw-plate were also not significantly different (P = 0.38). CONCLUSION: Posterior fixation at L5-S1 using the low-profile screw-plate system offers stability, resistance to fatigue, and resistance to failure equivalent to fixation using a standard cantilevered pedicle screw-rod system.

Trajectory analysis and pullout strength of self-centering lumbar pedicle screws.

OBJECT: An experiment was performed to study the limits of the ability of screws designed to center themselves in the pedicle during insertion, and to study whether straight-ahead versus inward screw insertion trajectories differ in their resistance to pullout. METHODS: Forty-nine human cadaveric lumbar vertebrae were studied. Pedicle screws were inserted in trajectories starting 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, or 30 degrees from the optimal trajectory, either medially or laterally misdirected. The surgeon then inserted the screw with forward thrust but without resisting the screw's tendency to reorient its own trajectory during insertion. On the opposite pedicle, a control screw was inserted with the more standard inward-angled anatomical trajectory and insertion point. Cortical wall violation during insertion was recorded. Screws were then pulled out at a constant displacement rate while ultimate strength was recorded. RESULTS: Lateral misdirection as small as 10 degrees was likely to lead to cortical wall violation (3 of 7 violations). Conversely, medial misdirection usually resulted in safe screw insertion (1 of 21 violations for 10 degrees, 20 degrees, or 30 degrees medial misdirection). The resistance to pullout of screws inserted in a straight-ahead trajectory did not differ significantly from that of screws inserted along an inward trajectory (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Self-tapping, self-drilling pedicle screws can redirect themselves to a much greater extent during medial than during lateral misdirection. The cortical wall is more likely to be violated laterally than medially. The strength of straight-ahead and inward trajectories was equivalent.